The more Gideon looked at it, the more there mingled with his disgust a sense of impotent surprise.

It was very like his uncle's houseboat; it was exceedingly like--it was identical.

But for two circumstances, he could have sworn it was the same.

The first, that his uncle had gone to Maidenhead, might be explained away by that flightiness of purpose which is so common a trait among the more than usually manly.

The second, however, was conclusive: it was not in the least like Mr Bloomfield to display a banner on his floating residence; and if he ever did, it would certainly be dyed in hues of emblematical propriety.